The Buster
Cup
A celebration of golf, friendship & legacy on the KZN South Coast
Wild Coast Sun Country Club · Southbroom Golf Club
The Tournament
Three days. Two courses.
One trophy.
The Buster Cup is an invitational golf tournament played annually across two of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast's finest layouts. Teams of four, led by their captains, compete across three days of mixed formats — blending the drama of Wild Coast Sun's clifftop terrain with the heritage and precision of Southbroom's parkland course.
Named in honour of Phillip "Buster" Dowdle, four-time club Captain, Chairman and President of Southbroom Golf Club, the cup carries a tradition of warmth, competition and camaraderie that he embodied throughout his life.
The Venues
Two world-class courses
Friday, 17 July · Day 1
Wild Coast Sun
Country Club
Port Edward, Eastern Cape border
Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 1983, Wild Coast Sun is one of South Africa's most dramatic and testing layouts. Perched above the Indian Ocean, the course winds through ridges, ravines, coastal forest and sweeping ocean vistas. Wide fairways belie a severe challenge — especially when the coastal winds arrive.
The par-3 13th, played across a waterfall ravine, is widely regarded as the finest short hole in the country. The par-5 12th — "Green Mamba" — features a funicular railway behind the green.
Saturday & Sunday, 18–19 July · Days 2 & 3
Southbroom
Golf Club
Southbroom Village, KwaZulu-Natal
Established in 1938, Southbroom is the home of the Buster Cup — a rare South African parkland layout set within the Frederika Nature Reserve. The course meanders past coastal residences and tropical foliage with views of the Indian Ocean, demanding precision over power on its tight, undulating layout.
The famous par-3 4th hole — just 114 metres — plays from tee boxes virtually on the rocky foreshore to a green perched along the beach. Voted South Africa's 99th best course in 2024. Ranked #1 Most Fun Course by Golf Digest.
Schedule
The itinerary
Three days of mixed formats ensure every type of golfer is tested. Times are approximate — your captain will confirm final tee times closer to the event.
Friday, 17 July
Wild Coast Sun — Day One4-Ball Alliance
Saturday, 18 July
Southbroom — Day TwoBetterball Stableford
Sunday, 19 July
Southbroom — Day ThreeIndividual Stableford
Tour Warm Up
Thursday, 16 July — Selborne Golf Estate
Tournament Rules
How the cup is won
A few essential rules to keep competition fair and the spirit of the game intact. Full R&A rules apply throughout — these cover the specifics of the Buster Cup format.
- The winning team is decided by adding all three days' scores: the Day 1 Alliance total, both pairs' Day 2 Betterball Stableford totals, and all four players' Day 3 Individual Stableford scores.
- In the event of a tie, the team that scored the most points on Day 3 will be declared the winners.
- All players play off their dynamic course handicap, updated daily.
- Day 1 — 4-Ball Alliance: 85% of your course handicap. Best 2 scores per hole to count.
- Day 2 — Betterball Stableford: 90% of your course handicap. Both partners' scores to count.
- Day 3 — Individual Stableford: 100% of your course handicap. All four players' scores count toward the team total.
- Players must submit their scores daily so that dynamic course handicaps can be adjusted for the following day's round.
- All play is governed by the Rules of Golf as approved by the R&A, except where local rules apply.
- Local rules for each course are displayed on the scorecard and must be observed.
- All players must tee off at their designated tee time. Late arrivals may be disqualified from that day's round at the discretion of the organiser.
- Carts are compulsory at Wild Coast Sun. Carts are included in the entry fee at both venues.
- Spotters are strongly recommended but are at the player's own cost and are not included in the entry fee.
- Scoring will be done via the app and each score must be updated after every hole.
- Each player is responsible for ensuring their handicap strokes are correctly recorded before tee time.
- Any disputes regarding scores must be raised before the scorecard is submitted on the app. No alterations are permitted after submission.
- The tournament organiser's decision on all matters is final.
- The Buster Cup is an invitational event played in the spirit of friendship and respect. Slow play, poor etiquette or unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification.
- All players are expected to rake bunkers, repair pitch marks and observe the dress code of each club.
- The consumption of alcohol during play is at each player's discretion but must not affect the pace of play or the experience of fellow competitors.
Entry Fee
What's included
Tournament Entry Fee
per player — which includes
Not included
- Spotters — recommended but at each player's own cost
- Drinks during and after rounds
- Friday evening dinner
- Accommodation — see our Stay section for options
- Travel costs to get to Southbroom on the South Coast
- Thursday warm-up round at Selborne Golf Estate
- Breakfasts and halfway house each day
Where to Stay
Accommodation
near the courses
The KZN South Coast offers everything from laid-back beach cottages to full resort stays. Accommodation and all associated costs are for each team's own account and are not included in the tournament entry fee.
Book early — this is non-negotiable. July falls squarely in the South African school holidays and the South Coast fills up fast. We strongly recommend securing your accommodation as soon as your place in the tournament is confirmed. Don't leave it late.
Registration
Ready to play?
Register for the Buster Cup 2026
Your captain will send you a personal invitation link. Can't find it? Register below.
Registration
Register your interest
Fill in your details below and your captain will confirm your spot. All fields marked * are required. Entry fee of R3,250 is payable before 21 June 2026 — banking details will be sent to your captain.